Manchester Food & Drink news ft. pancake eating contest, Stalybridge Buffet bar & more

Manchester food and drink news this week includes supper clubs at the Pen and Pencil, a pancake eating contest, a Pilcrow tap take over, Mad Hatters Tea Party at Richmond Tea Rooms and more.

Supper club: Test the Chef at Pen and Pencil
In an Ainsley Harriott Ready Steady Cook-style approach, the head chef at Pen and Pencil is inviting groups down to test their creative skills. Guests are asked to bring up to five ingredients to have a menu thought up in 15 minutes and the dishes served up within the hour, using only the items provided and store cupboard essentials. Tickets are £15 which include a glass of Prosecco and a dessert from the usual menu for afters. After the event, diners will receive a card to recreate the dishes again at home. Get your red tomato and green pepper on.
Wed 22 Feb, Pen and Pencil, 57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ, 6.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Pop up: #SCRANcoats at Ancoats General Store
The new weekly pop up at neighbourhood grocery shop and bar Ancoats General Store is gathering steam. This Thursday, they welcome Manchester street food stalwarts Nasi Lemak to take up residency and serve their trademark Malaysian fare. There are vegan and gluten free options on the menu: Chinese pastry jiaozhi dumplings with either lamb and ginger or shitake mushroom and mixed veg, and beef or jackfruit and seitan rending in a thick coconut curry with Nasi Lemak, pickles and sambal. Available for lunch or dinner.
Thu 23 Feb, Ancoats General Store, 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AB, noon-8pm, follow @ancoatsgs for updates.

Trip to Hebden Bridge: Asian pop-up at the Trades Club
Just half an hour on the train from Manchester Victoria, Hebden Bridge sits with a myriad of independents, pubs and restaurants. Plus, a constant presence on Britain’s best small venue lists, The Trades Club. Every Thursday, it plays host to Asian street food evening, East is Feast. This week the menu consists of Japanese ramen, stuffed bao buns and gyoza, with vegan and meat options available.
Thu 23 Feb, Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EE, 4-8pm, www.facebook.com

This Friday: Stalybridge Buffet Bar – Cuban night
The Victorian pub based on the platform of Stalybridge train station is a short journey out of Manchester and this Friday, they’re holding a five-course Cuban street food evening. Starting with Cuban poutine of sweet potato and plantain fries, mojo sauce and queso fresco, followed by Cuban paella soup, vegetable tamales, Cuban potato balls with vegetable ragu, and slow roasted beef. There are veggie options available and also a flight of three matched beers to the menu. Booking is advised.
Fri 24 Feb, Stalybridge Buffet Bar, Platform 4, Stalybridge Railway Station, Rassbottom Street, Stalybridge SK15 1RF, 5-9pm, www.facebook.com

Book now: Mad Hatters Tea Party at Richmond Tea Rooms
Join the gang at Richmond Tea Rooms for an Alice in Wonderland-inspired party, at the eclectic venue. With afternoon tea and entertainment, it’s a strictly 18+ party – so expect the unexpected and the outrageous.
Fri 24 Feb, Richmond Tea Rooms, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HZ. Tel: 0161 237 9667, 7pm, £20, www.richmondtearooms.com

Food festival: GRUB at Alphabet Brewing Co.
The food fair at Alphabet Brewing Company’s HQ welcomes the next batch of street food purveyors through the doors and it’s a great line-up this Saturday. British Street Food award winners The Market Wraps Allotment bring their Yorkshire pudding wraps and burgers across the Pennines, there will be wood fired sourdough treats from Purely Pizza, Mediterranean mezze from The Ottö-Men, seafood creations from locals Holy Crab, vegan comfort food from Wholesome Junkies and French patisserie ChouChoux. DJs Better Days (Chris E & Pablo Blanquito) will provide the soundtrack into the evening. As well as cider, wine and soft drinks, Alphabet’s usual array of signature beers will be available, plus chocolate hazelnut brown ale Zack De La Rocher will be launched on Saturday for first sampling. The bar takes cards, but bring cash for the stalls.
Sat 25 Feb, Alphabet Brewing Company, 99 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6JL, noon-10pm, www.facebook.com

Free DJ night and more: Mary & Archie’s birthday
As the Chorlton bar turns one, they want to repay the regulars and welcome newbies alike with a celebration into the night. DJ Tom Mallas (Creme Caramel) will be playing, with ‘dancing, disco and merriment’ promised, as well as birthday cocktail specials. Pop in to help them party.
Sat 25 Feb, Mary & Archie Chorlton, 111 Manchester Road, Manchester, M21 9PG, 8pm-1am, www.facebook.com

Pancake Day: pancake eating contest at Infamous Diner
Northern Quarter-based American restaurant Infamous Diner is hosting a Pancake Day-themed eating challenge next Tuesday. You can take part in the carb-heavy competition at 12.30pm or 6pm, see @InfamousDiner for details.

IN SHORT
The Pilcrow Pub (pictured) is having an exclusive tap takeover on Sat 25 Feb, noon-3pm with rare export, Oregon-based De Garde Brewing: www.facebook.com; this month’s ‘Feel Good Food’ at The Wonder Inn is serving up a selection of vegetarian African inspired small plates and sharing platters from 4pm: www.facebook.com